'If the United States were to occupy Iraq, the impact of such an event could destabilize the entire post-cold-war order. Regional powers – China, India and South Africa – could use the example to protect their own interests.'- Tariq Ali in The Bulletin

Eeek! But why exactly are we going to war? Ali says 'oil'; while in another Bulleting article, Michael Hirsch writes:

'... the administration's drive to take on Saddam began after 9-11 as a genuine fear of what this longtime US enemy could do with weapons of mass destruction.'

After seeing 'Bowling for Columbine' I will never view American fear in the same way again... What do Americans do when they are threatened? They attack! Why Iraq? Because of the symbolic threat Saddam represents. If they genuinely were worried about the *actual* threat, a lot more productive steps could have been taken before Sept 11.

(why, oh why, do I live in a country whose leader is so eager to support another country's (powerful minority group's?) fear-reaction! - What is John Howard scared of? What does John Howard want? Why is John Howard going to war? These questions still plague me... He's bonkers... perhaps we can convince him to lead a ground battalion...)